Maybe everyone is a thousand times more tech savvy than me, but it may be helpful for readers to know that the subscription options pop up after you put in your email address and press "subscribe" -- happy to have finally done so and appreciate all the work that goes into writing and gathering!
A couple of unrelated questions: first, in order to fly from the US to Europe, did your children only have to show their CDC issued vaccination cards? I'm looking to travel to Europe soon and there is a lot of conflicting information. Second, do you plan to post a What to Wear post this fall? Thanks in advance!!
They brought negative tests too. But the guidelines change all the time. And I just read that some countries in the EU will not be allowing visitors from the U.S. until Covid numbers are down. So any advice I give is likely to be outdated pretty much immediately.
I feel anger, rage, utter despair at the news coming from Afghanistan. It's like watching a slow moving 9/11.
I feel betrayed, duped, disappointed and have zero confidence in the people I voted for. Much as I would like to blame others, the guy in charge is responsible. May God help those poor people. I feel so helpless, I can do nothing.
Jane I understand your feelings of helplessness, and as a military Veteran I feel your disappointment. I encourage you to read the links that have been shared in this newsletter, they may provide some insight which I know sometimes brings me comfort. The harsh reality is that withdrawing from Afghanistan was not going to ever be easy, we had been there for 20 years, and lost many lives there. The withdraw was not a one person plan, there are multiple military generals who make up the joint chiefs of staff, and many more military and defense officials who work together with the joint chiefs to advise, plan and coordinate how to pull out of a 20 year war. Being a Veteran doesn’t make me qualified to say their plan wasn’t x, y or z but I can guarantee they worked together many hours and put a lot of thought into how to end this 20 year war.
My wife and I are in the process of moving to Paris; she has a new position in her company that requires her (and therefore us) to live in Paris. This is our second go around in Paris, and this time we are looking for a home somewhere in Normandy. Would you be willing to talk/discuss/meet with us sometime? I don't mean to impose. But it would be greatly appreciated. stephenchardy@yahoo.com
Hi Stephen, congrats on your upcoming move. I get requests similar to yours about 20 times per week, and I'm setting up some paid appointment options so I can dedicate more time to answering individuals. I plan to announce the options on Instagram.
Lots of love from North Carolina, USA! I've loved following your family visit this summer and, of course, the Tall House Reno! I'm also feeling the weight, really a physical weight, of EVERYTHING happening this summer. I was reading about 'compassion fatigue' and I think that sums it up exactly. SO much happening directly to us (pandemic, work burnout, etc) AND everything happening in the world... it just feels like too much. I'm trying to figure out how to be engaged and help in whatever way is needed, while also protecting my own mental health for the sake of my son and family. It feels like too much is needed in too many places. I have my responsibility to my world, but more immediately to myself and my son and husband. I want to find the right balance, to NOT fall into a despair I can't get out of, but that just feels so difficult right now. I have hope that this Fall will bring a quiet on our world and healing.
Gabrielle you are one of the most thoughtful humans I have ever encountered in this online world and reading about the Morman vax situation in your column today made me really curious about how you are able to continue to participate as a church member? You have made other comments over the years about patriarchy and rascism in your church. How do you reconcile your core beliefs with those of your church? Have you ever investigated placing your faith elsewhere? I ask this respectfully because I am in a situation where I have left the church I grew up in because I could not continue to worship knowing there was deeply entrenched sexism, homophobia, misogyny, and institutionalised sexual abuse. My parents are still devout even though they see and feel all of this. Our relationship has shifted, they feel I have shunned them as well my former church. I have found my church elsewhere and am very happy. Would you be accepting of your children choosing a different path?
Catholic, and now I am part of something that does not connect at all to any God-like doctrine. It’s about celebrating life and the universe. It still has a fellowship dimension, we meet on the weekends so it feels like church.
I would love a post completely devoted to the Mormon pandemic/vaccine/mask situation! It’s such an issue on a large scale and also for me personally it’s been a real struggle. Because how is it ok to “have agency” and “personal revelation” surrounding covid but not for LGBTQ+ positions, abortion, or even coffee and second piercings! That’s just a little of my feelings and I’d just love to hear your insight on the matter.
It’s very interesting to hear faithful members disregard the words of the prophet as it relates to the vaccine. The vaccine grants freedoms to all people by the cooperation of the majority. Perhaps members are more attached to their own freedom and less attached to their brother or sisters freedom? Is there a chance they have been taught that there are different rules and rewards for different people…? How can we be a chosen people when we are equalizing all by asking for masking and vaccines?
I’m reading this while glued to the tv watching Hurricane Ida slam the east side of our state. Our area was devastated by Category 4 Hurricane Laura and Delta within 6 weeks of each other almost exactly 1 year ago. The disaster fatigue is REAL. Many people in Southwest Louisiana are still living in campers in their driveways and still have tarps on their roofs because they’re still fighting insurance, and we’re feeling SO MUCH empathy for our neighbors to the east. We wouldn’t wish any of these disasters on anyone.
Please do explore the topics of Mormon vaccine/mask/Covid and leadership issues further. And thank you for continuing to use your platform in such a thoughtful and sincere way!
Maybe everyone is a thousand times more tech savvy than me, but it may be helpful for readers to know that the subscription options pop up after you put in your email address and press "subscribe" -- happy to have finally done so and appreciate all the work that goes into writing and gathering!
Thanks for letting people know. There are some quirks with the Substack platform that are frustrating to me — it's not the easiest to use!
A couple of unrelated questions: first, in order to fly from the US to Europe, did your children only have to show their CDC issued vaccination cards? I'm looking to travel to Europe soon and there is a lot of conflicting information. Second, do you plan to post a What to Wear post this fall? Thanks in advance!!
They brought negative tests too. But the guidelines change all the time. And I just read that some countries in the EU will not be allowing visitors from the U.S. until Covid numbers are down. So any advice I give is likely to be outdated pretty much immediately.
I feel anger, rage, utter despair at the news coming from Afghanistan. It's like watching a slow moving 9/11.
I feel betrayed, duped, disappointed and have zero confidence in the people I voted for. Much as I would like to blame others, the guy in charge is responsible. May God help those poor people. I feel so helpless, I can do nothing.
Jane I understand your feelings of helplessness, and as a military Veteran I feel your disappointment. I encourage you to read the links that have been shared in this newsletter, they may provide some insight which I know sometimes brings me comfort. The harsh reality is that withdrawing from Afghanistan was not going to ever be easy, we had been there for 20 years, and lost many lives there. The withdraw was not a one person plan, there are multiple military generals who make up the joint chiefs of staff, and many more military and defense officials who work together with the joint chiefs to advise, plan and coordinate how to pull out of a 20 year war. Being a Veteran doesn’t make me qualified to say their plan wasn’t x, y or z but I can guarantee they worked together many hours and put a lot of thought into how to end this 20 year war.
I appreciate your comment, S. Hall.
My wife and I are in the process of moving to Paris; she has a new position in her company that requires her (and therefore us) to live in Paris. This is our second go around in Paris, and this time we are looking for a home somewhere in Normandy. Would you be willing to talk/discuss/meet with us sometime? I don't mean to impose. But it would be greatly appreciated. stephenchardy@yahoo.com
Hi Stephen, congrats on your upcoming move. I get requests similar to yours about 20 times per week, and I'm setting up some paid appointment options so I can dedicate more time to answering individuals. I plan to announce the options on Instagram.
Lots of love from North Carolina, USA! I've loved following your family visit this summer and, of course, the Tall House Reno! I'm also feeling the weight, really a physical weight, of EVERYTHING happening this summer. I was reading about 'compassion fatigue' and I think that sums it up exactly. SO much happening directly to us (pandemic, work burnout, etc) AND everything happening in the world... it just feels like too much. I'm trying to figure out how to be engaged and help in whatever way is needed, while also protecting my own mental health for the sake of my son and family. It feels like too much is needed in too many places. I have my responsibility to my world, but more immediately to myself and my son and husband. I want to find the right balance, to NOT fall into a despair I can't get out of, but that just feels so difficult right now. I have hope that this Fall will bring a quiet on our world and healing.
I hear you, Jamie. It is SO HARD to figure out how to find a balance right now. I certainly haven't figured it out myself.
Gabrielle you are one of the most thoughtful humans I have ever encountered in this online world and reading about the Morman vax situation in your column today made me really curious about how you are able to continue to participate as a church member? You have made other comments over the years about patriarchy and rascism in your church. How do you reconcile your core beliefs with those of your church? Have you ever investigated placing your faith elsewhere? I ask this respectfully because I am in a situation where I have left the church I grew up in because I could not continue to worship knowing there was deeply entrenched sexism, homophobia, misogyny, and institutionalised sexual abuse. My parents are still devout even though they see and feel all of this. Our relationship has shifted, they feel I have shunned them as well my former church. I have found my church elsewhere and am very happy. Would you be accepting of your children choosing a different path?
What's your former church?
Catholic, and now I am part of something that does not connect at all to any God-like doctrine. It’s about celebrating life and the universe. It still has a fellowship dimension, we meet on the weekends so it feels like church.
Also, to answer your questions:
Q. How do you reconcile your core beliefs with those of your church?
A It's a similar mental process to the one I use to reconcile my American citizenship.
Q. Have you ever investigated placing your faith elsewhere?
A. Yes.
Q. Would you be accepting of your children choosing a different path?
A. Yes, of course, and they know this.
I would love a post completely devoted to the Mormon pandemic/vaccine/mask situation! It’s such an issue on a large scale and also for me personally it’s been a real struggle. Because how is it ok to “have agency” and “personal revelation” surrounding covid but not for LGBTQ+ positions, abortion, or even coffee and second piercings! That’s just a little of my feelings and I’d just love to hear your insight on the matter.
I've got a draft going... I'll see if I can come up with the energy to finish it. It's exhausting stuff.
Thank you, Gabrielle. My heart is heavy and these shares were enlightening. So grateful for you.
So grateful you're here, Nancy!
It’s very interesting to hear faithful members disregard the words of the prophet as it relates to the vaccine. The vaccine grants freedoms to all people by the cooperation of the majority. Perhaps members are more attached to their own freedom and less attached to their brother or sisters freedom? Is there a chance they have been taught that there are different rules and rewards for different people…? How can we be a chosen people when we are equalizing all by asking for masking and vaccines?
I am vaccinated and believe in the science as well as the loving action of caring for my neighbors….I also like posing the questions
I’m reading this while glued to the tv watching Hurricane Ida slam the east side of our state. Our area was devastated by Category 4 Hurricane Laura and Delta within 6 weeks of each other almost exactly 1 year ago. The disaster fatigue is REAL. Many people in Southwest Louisiana are still living in campers in their driveways and still have tarps on their roofs because they’re still fighting insurance, and we’re feeling SO MUCH empathy for our neighbors to the east. We wouldn’t wish any of these disasters on anyone.
I've been watching the news for reports and mostly hearing about power outages. I hope you are okay, MG. This is so hard. And so unfair.
Please do explore the topics of Mormon vaccine/mask/Covid and leadership issues further. And thank you for continuing to use your platform in such a thoughtful and sincere way!